In honor of Screen Free Week, which begins this Monday, I would like to challenge my Rocky Mount neighbors to take UScellular’s Phones Down for 5 Challenge. This is a UScellular initiative meant to inspire people to take a break from technology for five days, five hours or even just five minutes.
By taking the Phones Down for 5 Challenge or taking a break in a way that works for you, my hope is that everyone can make the most of their screen-free time and foster a healthier relationship with technology.
Smartphones are an essential part of everyday life in the Twin Counties and beyond. A recent UScellular survey found that 75 percent of respondents said they spend at least an hour on social media every day, with 24 percent spending 3-4 hours per day. Despite those statistics, which I was not surprised to hear, nearly a third of those same people surveyed said they want to take an intentional break from their phones. Screen Free Week is a great time for us to spend some time away from our screens and reset our relationship with technology.
In addition to Phones Down for 5, we have created some additional tips at UScellular to help your Screen Free Week be a success:
Put your phone on Do Not Disturb. We recommend utilizing native focus features on your smartphone by using your phone’s version of the “do not disturb” mode. You can program this for certain times of the day, to disable push notifications, set time limits on social media apps and even pre-set quiet times.Reconnect with family and friends. Talk about your favorite memories with your partner. Take a friend you haven’t seen in a long time out to dinner at one of our great local restaurants. Invite your neighbors to a game night with board games. Try making a brand-new recipe or dish for your family. Make experiences that are unique and impossible to duplicate if you were glued to your phone.Have more parental control. UScellular recently partnered with Bark to help parents and families navigate life with their digital devices. With Bark, parents can monitor their child’s social media activity, manage screen time and help prevent digital dangers including cyberbullying, unsafe websites and more with real-time alerts.Unplug with your kids. Establish healthier digital boundaries with your children with UScellular and Screen Sanity’s Smarter Start Toolkit. It includes educational and actionable tools, tips and an agreement for both parents and kids, so everyone can use technology in a more thoughtful way.Get out. Work out. Chill out. Take a break from being on your device by spending time outdoors and getting some fresh air on a walk or bike ride at Battle Park. The Great Outdoors offers plenty of exercise options as well. Try going for a run, hitting up the neighborhood pool or attending a local baseball game; of course, you will find me cheering on my son’s team at Northern Nash High School. If technology plays a significant role in your self-care regimen, be sure to substitute it for peaceful activities during your screen-free time.
Screen Free Week is organized by the nonprofit organization Fairplay and is an annual event that encourages people to take a break from screen-based entertainment.
Enjoy some time away from screens doing what you love with those you love.
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